Whaddya wanna bet?
Inspired by my childhood's local sportswriter, Randy Smith, I will bring my first ever "Whaddya wanna bet?" post to The Daily Grind. Thanks Randy for years of "Do ya wanna bet?"
Whaddya wanna bet...
That Margaret Spellings couldn't meet standard on a few of these state exams?
That despite touting himself as a president dedicated to education, President Bush's NCLB will not make the history books?
That the reason the U.S. is having difficulty competing with other countries in student performace is closely related to the number of hours our parents let our children waste on the couch?
That when it comes to education funding, it will never be enough?
That a student who feels good about himself is not nearly as successful as the student who is challenged?
That if you gave me the choice, I'd take a student who has been criticised?
That local school districts are seriously strapped for cash?
That incompetent mangement is more to blame than lack of federal funding?
That years of experience in teaching really doesn't amount to much in terms of ability?
That Unions need to do a better job of selling the teacher force to the public?
That Unions will continue to whine about pay?
That the N.E.A. is about as related to education as a I am to my distant, somehow, someway connection to Nathan Hale?
That the N.E.A. wouldn't like that last statement?
That students need to realize they don't have it that bad?
That teachers need to realize they don't have it that bad?
That parents who make statements about how days off from schools challenges them to find daycare, think of public education as free daycare?
That their kid is probably a punk?
That grade inflation is a result of the babyboomer generation of parents who went too far on the pendulum swing from their childhood?
That more rich kids annoy me than poor kids?
That though teaching to the test means teaching to the standards, it also means not teaching for understanding?
That D.O.P.A. is a well intentioned law?
That it is nearsighted?
That districts could save a bunch of money by eliminating 1/3 of the redundant central office positions?
That I could do my job without 1/3 of the central office staff?
That they will keep their jobs while unimportant janitors and education assistants will lose theirs?
That if I offend you with my honesty about education, you are probably feeling guilty about what you don't do?
That the next time I post a "Whaddya wanna bet?," I'll be back at school, and loving it?
posted by Mr. McNamar @ 5:06 PM
8 Comments
8 Comments:
Excellent questions, all! I like the balance you've struck.
I've long wanted to dare our state officials to take the 10th grade writing test anonymously. And rich kids, honors kids: too much entitlement and too good at cheating.
I can't wait to see more "Whaddya wanna bets"!
I sometimes say if it weren't for those damn kids school would be great. But honestly, if it weren't for the damn administration school would rock. Sometimes, I think Laura Ingalls Wilder had it made.
Thanks for the list.
As a compulsive gambler, I enjoyed this little game. We need some odds, though.
You had me up until "That more rich kids annoy me than poor kids?"
I'd be curious to know why and how the students' parents' financial status affects your opinion of them as desirable in the classroom.
Is it a political, or behavioral preference?
Other than that, bravo. :)
Sorry, that was me above. Didn't mean to post anonymously.
Not much I can disagree with. And, I can't complain about the pay - I have a house over my head, and our income is higher than most in our small community. There is a lot of whining going on by parents, children and teachers. Also a lot of time wasted in front of a box while they sit on the couch.
Thanks for posting.
Really enjoyed this post. I liked the one about a student who feels good about himself is not nearly as successful as the student who is challenged. I think society made a big mistake when we 'focused' on self-esteem.
Also, the comments about the incompetent management at every level of school management. Egads! It's a nightmare in my district.
You actually hit the nail right on the head in most cases.
redkadu, I can tell you why Rich kids can be more annoying than poorer kids. Growing up at a school deemed rich and then teaching at a school that was lower on the socio-economic scale gave me some perspective.
The less students have and expect makes them much more grateful when they receive something they weren't expecting. But when you encounter students at a school deemed richer not only do you as a teacher have to worry about wealthy parents looking over your shoulder but the kids have a level of expectancy rather than gratitude. I mean when you are at a school where the students cars are nicer than the teachers it says something. When a student can wreck his car 4 times and everytime his parents by him a new car where is he learning about being grateful and not just being given everything.
When you teach in an environment that is higher on the socio-economic status many students feel as though they are fine and everything should be given to them because that is how they have been raised. With poorer students they aren't given as much so when you present them with opportunities they are much more excited about them and easier to work with.
Yet poorer kids can be punks as well. I just found it much more enjoyable to work with students that weren't spoiled, and for the most part you see that in a higher socio-ecomoic class of parents
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